NATIONAL TOURNAMENT RULES
PRACTICE TIME – Practice is not allowed on any
tournament table, except during specified periods, and
only with the permission of the Tournament Director.
You are encouraged to practice on all tables designated
for that purpose, and are asked to share the practice
tables with any other contestants who wish to use
them. Generally speaking, a 10 or 15 minute time
limit is advised for any one or two individuals using the
practice table, if other contestants are waiting. Any table
designated as a practice table during the event should
be reserved for those contestants who have not yet been
eliminated from the tournament. Practice is not allowed
on tournament tables during play, even though a table
may not be in use during short periods.
NO GAMBLING – Gambling is not permitted and will
not be allowed at any League function. Therefore,
League members are not permitted to gamble at the
tournament site, even following elimination from the
tournament. Any contestant involved with gambling risks
disqualification from the tournament and forfeiture of all
awards and prize money.
BEVERAGES – Hotel regulations prohibit coolers or
outside beverages in hotel ballrooms. Beer and other
beverages are available. Please do not bring in coolers
or outside beverages. Glass beverage containers are
prohibited in Tournament rooms.
FORFEIT TIME – Forfeits will be determined 15 minutes
after a match has been called. If a team has registered
for the tournament, every effort will be made to locate
the team before a forfeit is declared. The Tournament
Director determines when a match is officially forfeited.
SUDDEN DEATH FORMAT – When the Sudden Death
format is in effect, all other League rules apply to
player selection. We ask all players to help keep to the
schedule by being ready to play when their match is
called, and by observing the Match Time Guidelines.
8-Ball Sudden Death – This format is implemented 3 hours
and 45 minutes into an 8-Ball match. Each team match
must be in the 5th individual match by the 3-hours-and-45minutes mark, or all subsequent matches become a one
game race.
9-Ball Sudden Death – This format is implemented
3 hours into a 9-Ball match. Each team match must
be in the 5th individual match by the 3-hours mark, or
all subsequent matches will consist of all points earned
being doubled. Each object ball pocketed will count as 2
points and the 9-ball will count as 4 points.
DECLARING PLAYERS – Once both teams in a match
have declared a player, the players cannot be changed
unless the 23/19 Rule is in jeopardy.
COACHING – A player may be coached only once per
game. If a coach suggests a time-out to the player, the
time-out must be taken. However, if a player asks for a
time-out, the coach can refuse to take it and no time-out
will be charged. Mark all coaches (time-outs) with a “T”
on your scoresheet. Coaches are allowed to place the
cue ball (during a coaching time-out) in a ball-in-hand
situation. All rules regarding fouling the cue ball apply to
the coach when placing the cue ball for a player.
NOTE: Common players and Ineligible players are
not allowed to participate as coaches.
CHECKING PLAYER IDENTIFICATION – A current picture
I.D. is required! All tournament participants must present a
current, certified, positive picture I.D. in the form
of a state I.D. from their state of residence, a
military I.D. or a passport, prior to competing in the
event. Your I.D. must be available for review prior
to competing in each match. If you do not have a
proper picture I.D., you will not be allowed to play. In
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2013 NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
all Higher Level Tournament events it would be
considered standard procedure for good sportsmanship
if, at the beginning of each match, contestants provided
proper identification to their opponents before shaking
hands. Each player in a match at a Higher Level
Tournament event should be satisfied with the identity of
their opponent in the match. If a player does not have
their I.D. at that time, the team will forfeit that individual
match and the use of that player for the remainder of
the match. The opponent remains eligible to play in a
later match; however, the team must show it can stay
within the 23-Rule by using a remaining player on the
roster. If a player(s) neglects to ask an opponent for
proper identification prior to the lag at the beginning of
their match, and the identity of the opponent becomes
questionable after a game is in progress, the only option
is to finish the current game, then ask for a tournament
official to verify the opponent’s identification before
continuing the match. The Tournament Director is the
only person who can make a judgment on any form of
I.D. in question and will decide what course of action will
be taken concerning the identity of the player in question.
IMPERSONATING A PLAYER – The entire team of a
player who enters or participates under fraudulent
circumstances will be disqualified.
SCOREKEEPING – Scoresheets with innings recorded
and defensive shots marked must be kept by a
member of both teams or by an official scorekeeper. If
it is determined that a team is not marking defensive
shots, then the National Handicap Review Committee
may arbitrarily raise some or all skill levels of players
on that team. Scoresheets must be signed and turned
in to the Control Table to receive credit for match
wins. Refusal to sign a scoresheet does not affect any
match protest. It is the responsibility of the winning
team to make sure the Control Table receives proper
scoresheets.
8-Ball Only – Please mark Early 8’s (E8), 8-ball
Scratches (8S), 8-on-the-Breaks (8OB) and Breakand-Runs (BR) on your scoresheets. Patches for
8-on-the-Break and Break-and-Runs are awarded—
and must be claimed by the Team Captain—at the
Control Table when the scoresheets are turned in for
processing.
9-Ball Only – When one team reaches 51 points, the
match is over. Do not finish out that individual match;
simply mark on the scoresheet Not Finished (NF).
Please make sure you mark all balls pocketed, dead
balls, Break-and-Runs (BR) and 9-on-the-Snaps
(9OS). Patches for 9-on-the-Snap and Break-andRuns are awarded—and must be claimed by the Team
Captain—at the Control Table when the scoresheets are
turned in for processing.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any team caught fraudulently
keeping score—adding innings, altering scoresheets in
any way, etc.—is subject to disqualification.
DRESS CODE – Proper attire must be worn at all times
in and around the tournament site. The Tournament
Director shall determine what is proper attire, and is
responsible for requiring the change of improper attire
on the part of any contestant. Any change of improper
attire is not just cause for delay in the progress of a team
match. Refer to the Tournament Dress Code on page
21 to learn what is considered proper attire. The dress
code will be enforced.
NO EARPHONES – It is not permissible to wear
earphones of any type during Tournament play. This
includes ear buds, headphones, headsets, Bluetooth
devices, etc.
CELL PHONE USE – During the shooter’s turn at the
table, cell phone use is prohibited for that player.
NO SMOKING – Smoking is not permitted within the
tournament room.
GAME RULES – APA game rules apply. Any and all
Local Bylaw(s) or interpretation(s) which are not in full
accord with the National Rules established by the APA
do not apply to your participation in the National event.
It is your responsibility to know what is a National Rule
(or standard), and what is a Local Bylaw (or standard).
The game rules that will be used during your event are
covered in the Official Team Manual. You should be
familiar with these rules.
SKILL LEVELS – The APA is the sole judge of a player’s
ability, and may at any time raise a player’s skill level if
the APA believes that he/she is not playing up to his/
her true ability. It is especially important that the skill
level at which you participate in this event reflects your
true ability according to National Rules and standards.
This is your responsibility. You are advised by the
APA to make certain that you and your teammates fully
understand and conscientiously follow all of the National
rules and standards. If you determine you or one of your
teammates skill level is not accurate, then you must
notify your League Operator or Tournament Director prior
to entering and playing in the event. Doing so will not
necessarily prevent your disqualification; it will, however,
help in determining your eligibility status.
FOULS – Fouls may be called by the player or by his/her
coach. It should be kept in mind, since everybody on the
team may communicate with the coach, that in effect,
anyone on the team may call a foul, but only a call made
by the coach or the player makes it official. Each player
is advised before taking ball-in-hand, to make certain
you actually have ball-in-hand. If you do not confirm
ball-in-hand with your opponent, or with Tournament
Officials, and there is a difference of opinion, then you
subject yourself to the potential costly mistake of fouling
the cue ball unknowingly.
CUE BALL FOULS – The cue ball is always alive. Do not
touch the cue ball while it is still rolling. Doing so may
result in a foul.
CLOSE SHOTS – If a shot looks like it may result in a
“bad hit,” stop the game and get a Tournament Official
to make the call. Either player may stop the game to
ask for a call. The decision of the Tournament Official
is final. If a shot is close and a Tournament Official is
not called, the ruling will have a tendency to be in the
shooter’s favor.
MARK THE 8-BALL (8-Ball Only) – A coaster, pocket
marker or any other reasonable marker must be placed
by the pocket the 8-ball is intended to enter. (To avoid
confusion, we do not recommend marking the pocket
with chalk.) If a player pockets the 8-ball without
marking the intended pocket, and the opponent calls loss
of game, it will result in a loss of game. Both players
may use the same marker. Only one marker should be
on the table. However, if more than one marker is on the
table, as long as you clearly mark the pocket where you
intend to pocket the 8-ball you have properly marked the
pocket. If the marker is already at the intended pocket
from a previous attempt or game, it is not necessary for
the shooter to touch it, pick it up, or reposition it. Anyone
may remind a player to place the marker and it will not
be considered coaching or a foul.
THE 23-RULE – The 23-Rule will be enforced. No team may
play five players whose combined skill levels exceed 23.
In addition, a team must show that it could have fielded
a legal team (meaning it could have fielded 5 players that
did not exceed 23) if the match had gone the entire 5
individual matches. If the total skill levels of the lowest
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five players listed on your roster is equal to or less than
23, then your team can meet the 23-Rule. This means
that a team may not lead off with three players whose
skill levels add up to 19 unless there are two 2’s listed on
the roster. A team may not try to win with its first three
players and disregard the 23-Rule. All the above applies
to the Ladies Division except that it concerns the 19-Rule
instead of the 23-Rule.
What happens if a team is unable to comply
with the 23-Rule?
If the total skill levels of the lowest five players listed on
the roster exceed 23, the team will have to play four
players whose skill levels do not exceed 19 in the Open
Division (16 in the Ladies Division) and forfeit the fifth
match. If the skill levels of the lowest four players on
the roster exceed 19, then they can play three players to
15 (13 in the Ladies Division) and forfeit the fourth and
fifth matches.
FORFEITING MATCHES – Individual matches may
be forfeited at any time during a team match. If the
individual match is forfeited after the rack has been
broken in that match, the skill level of both players in
the match will count towards the 23-Rule (19-Rule in
the Ladies Division). If the individual match is forfeited
before the rack has been broken in that match, the
player on the team receiving the forfeit remains eligible
to play again as the forfeit does not count as a match
played. Both teams must be able to show at the end of
the team match they could have fielded a legal team,
meaning they could have fielded five players that did not
exceed 23 (19 in Ladies Division) had all five individual
matches been played. For example: if the opposing
team puts up a SL7, your team cannot forfeit using an
unavailable player so your opponent can’t play their SL7.
The opposing team would regain the use of their SL7 as
long as they can show that they can still remain within
the 23-Rule had all five individual matches been played.
INELIGIBLE PLAYERS – Ineligible players are those
players who, for whatever reason, are not eligible to play
in any match during this tournament. All ineligible players
will be removed from the Higher Level Tournament roster
and will not count for 23-Rule purposes in the 8-Ball and
9-Ball Open Divisions or 19-Rule purposes in the 8-Ball
Ladies Division.
NOTE: Ineligible players are not allowed to
participate as a coach.
SENIOR SKILL LEVEL PLAYERS (9-Ball Only) – Only
two senior skill level players may play in any given team
match. Senior skill level players are those players who
have a skill level of 6, 7, 8 or 9.
COMMON PLAYERS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL – A
common player is defined as a player on more than
one team. A team may have up to two players that are
common with another team in the same format at the
National Level of the Team Championships. A player
may be common on up to two teams in each format at
the National Level of the Team Championships. This
means a player may qualify on up to two 8-Ball Open
Division teams, two 9-Ball Open Division teams and two
8-Ball Ladies Division teams (ladies only, of course). If
you qualify on more than two teams in any format, you
must choose which team rosters you will stay on prior
to entering the National Level of the Championships.
Common players are not allowed to participate as a
coach.
NOTE: Matches will not be held up for players who
are participating on multiple teams.
TIE BREAKERS – 8-Ball Only – What happens if a
team match ends 2-2? If it is time for the fifth match
and neither team has an eligible player present to play,
the match is decided by the performance of the two
teams in the first three matches. The team that won two
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out of the first three matches is determined the winner
and advances to the next round of the tournament.
9-Ball Only – What happens if a team match ends
50-50? Championship matches will be scored the same
as weekly play, except individual forfeits will be worth 20
points (instead of 15). The first team to reach 51 points
is the winner. In case of a tie at the end of the match of
50 to 50 match points, the number of individual matches
won by each team would break the tie.
TEAM DISQUALIFICATION PROCEDURE – If Higher
Level Tournament play is to be truly meaningful and
rewarding, then those who play below their true ability
must be penalized.
Complaints of unsportsmanlike conduct, or any evidence
of a player playing at a skill level below his/her
true ability, should be reported immediately to the
Tournament Director.
In order to conduct a fair and equal tournament for all
APA players, APA must ensure that all participants are
playing at skill levels that are not below their true ability.
Handicap manipulation compromises the fairness and
integrity of tournament play and cannot be tolerated.
Accordingly, the APA may disqualify any player or team
if, in APA’s sole judgment and absolute discretion, one
or more of its players are deemed by APA to be playing
at a skill level below their true ability. The determination
of whether a player is playing at a skill level below his
or her true ability is necessarily subjective; APA is the
sole judge of a player’s ability and may make such a
determination in its absolute judgment and discretion.
A National Handicap Review Committee, consisting of
APA National staff members, League Operators, and
APA National Tournament Directors has been formed to
review the performance of each player after every round
of play and make skill level adjustments as necessary.
They will also investigate complaints and review elevated
skill levels to determine the eligibility status of the
players. Players may be disqualified at any time during
or after tournament play if the committee concludes the
player has, without justification, played at a skill level
below their true ability.
PROTESTS – The Team Captain must make all protests
to the Tournament Director in a sportsmanlike manner.
There is a $50.00 filing fee for any protest, which is
refundable if the team filing wins the protest. Any team
disrupting the tournament, causing a scene, or causing
other problems at or around the tournament site will lose
the right to protest. The Tournament Director will resolve
all issues on the spot. The APA is the highest authority.
Any rulings made by the APA are final.
RULES OF CONDUCT – Read the Rules of Conduct.
Make sure you understand the penalty level system. It
is designed to stop a problem while it is still a small
problem. The Rules of Conduct may be used by the
Tournament Director or designated Tournament Official
at any Higher Level Tournament event for any form of
misconduct.
WARNINGS – If a warning is given in an individual
match, that warning will follow the team throughout
the remainder of the event. For example, if a player is
warned for sharking their opponent, and in a subsequent
match a player from that same team is warned for
sharking their opponent, the result will be ball-in-hand
for the opponent. Such warnings will be noted by a
Tournament Official on the scoresheets.
SPORTSMANSHIP – The primary objective of the
League has always been to provide players of all abilities
with the fun and enjoyment of friendly competition.
Naturally it is expected that each player arrived hoping to
do well, and all players will be doing their best to win. On
the other hand, each player is also expected to accept
defeat in a sportsmanlike manner.
Two common violations of good sportsmanship are
conceding an unfinished game and undoing a cue
during play. Both forms of conduct are frowned upon by
professionals, and should be eliminated from amateur
play. All players are asked to allow opponents to finish
the game before racking the balls or undoing cues. No
penalty will be assessed unless, in the opinion of the
Tournament Director, a repeated violation of this conduct
rule occurs.
Another area of good sportsmanship concerns fouls.
A foul is a foul and should be observed as such.
Occasionally, a player feels that a foul is a foul only if he
gets caught. Generally speaking, a professional player
will call a foul on himself. Likewise, good sportsmanship
in the amateur ranks requires a player to admit a
mistake, and live with the consequences. However,
it is technically a player’s responsibility to protect the
outcome of his match. Pay attention to your game.
A Sportsmanship Award is given at the end of each
event (8-Ball Open Division, 8-Ball Ladies Division, 9-Ball
Open Division and all Preregistered events.). You may
vote for teams by making comments on the back of
your scoresheet or by using the Team Nomination form
included with this Event Program, and submitting it to
the Control Table. Additional forms are available at the
Control Table, if needed.
EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS – In general, any piece
of equipment designed specifically for pocket billiards,
with the exception of jump cues and laser devices, is
acceptable in APA Tournament play. Special equipment,
such as bridges and cue extenders, are legal. You may
change cues during a game. Jump shots are legal, when
executed properly, but such shots must be attempted
with a regular shooting cue*. Players are not allowed
to break their cue sticks down and use just the shaft
to attempt jump shots. Specialty cues, such as break
cues** and jump cues, may not be used to perform jump
shots***.
*Any standard pool cue used to shoot the majority of
shots in a match.
**Any cue specifically designed for breaking. This does
not include regular shooting cues used for breaking.
***Any piece of equipment not covered by this rule and in
question will be ruled upon by APA. Cues with moveable
parts will generally NOT be allowed.
Any equipment bearing any message or image of a
sexually explicit or political nature, or a message or
image which may be offensive due to the use of profanity
or by virtue of its promotion of violence, alcoholism or
substance abuse, shall be prohibited from use in all APA
events. The Tournament Director shall be the enforcing
authority of this regulation.
The Tournament Director shall have the right to inspect a
player’s cue(s) at any time during a tournament without
prior notice to the player, and if the cue(s) are found to be
in violation of this regulation, the player shall immediately
cease using the objectionable cue during tournament
play, or face immediate disqualification and forfeiture of
all prize money earned and/or entry fee paid.
DISQUALIFICATION – APA has the absolute and final
authority to make all rulings affecting participation in
the APA Team Championship programs including player
ability (i.e., correction of skill levels) and disqualification.
Disqualification from this event for any reason will mean
forfeiture of all titles, awards, prize money, and minimum
two year suspension from the League. Disqualification
can occur prior to, during, or after the event.
FINALIST GUIDE
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